the world what though they should professe to have their conversation in heaven in respect of holy duties unblameable conversation and sweet carriage in doing good and in not being of the world free in outward appearance from covetousness and covetous practises and free from uncleanness filthiness and fordidness of living and what though they should seem to join with the people of God in carrying on the cause of God and interest of Christ against the common enemy yet if they should be and do all this and much more then this if they should not do it from that principle which is proper to Christians but from a principle of violence from without or a principle set on work by virtue of an end that is not suitable and congruous unto the great end that Christ propoundeth then certainly all the glory and honour of these men would lie in the dust notwithstanding all the three former and this is on purpose brought in to spoil the claim and title of the best painted hypocrite or false Christian though acting in the most glorious garb and carriage of himself And therefore mark and consider what was the principle of Jesus Christ Here some were observed to sit and â—eep from which he acted if any of you are sleepy and drowsie rouze up your selves for this is of great importance The principle by which Christ Jesus had his being in the world and acted and suffered and carried on the work that appertained to him it was the spirit of God as you heard before in the 61 of Isaiah the first The spirit of the Lord is upon me and he hath anointed me the spirit hath anointed me nay the spirit is that anointing in the book of Exodus a place formerly hinted you There the composition of that holy anointing oil which was to be poured upon the type of Jesus Christ the high Priest Aaron and upon his sons and upon all the holy vessels and utensils of the Tabernacle is at large described it is compounded of the richest spices the most aromatical the most odoriferous spices together with the oil Olive an Hin as it is there expressed in the 30. of Exodus the 23. 24. Thou shalt take to thee principall spices of pure Myrrhe five hundred shekels and of sweet Cinamon half so much two hundred and fifty shekels and of sweet Calamus two hundred and fifty shekels and of Cassia five hundred shekels after the shekel of the Sanctuary and of the oil olive an Hin and this ointment was to be madeafter the Art of the Apothecary the ingredients to be exactly weighed as the textspeaks And thou shaltant ointwith this ointment the Tabernacle and the Ark the vessels and thou shalt sanctifie them that they may be most holy and thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them that they may minister to me in the Priests office Now this was but a Typical representation of that holy anointing of Jesus Christ by the spirit and the anointing of his sons his people his children his disciples after him And in the Canticles when Christ comes to look after his spouse comparing her to a garden my sister my spouse is a Well inclosed a Fountain sealed c. thy plants are an Orchard of Pome-granates with pleasant fruits with Camphire Spicknard Saffron Calamus Crynamon Myrrhe Aloes and the like Now these spices of Arabia foelix those aromaticall spices in those hot countries of the world they are of a most pleasant smell and as Jesus Christ was made pleasant by the anointing of the holy Ghost grace was poured into his lips he spake as never man spake and grace was poured into his whole conversation his whole carriage savoured of the sweetness of the spirit of God So if you are Christians you are anointed with the self same spirit if any here say they are Christians and have not the spirit of Christ they are not Christians they are none of his Disciples For if they were of his Disciples and Christians they have received of this anointing it would run down from him the Head upon the Officers of the church and then upon every one even to the door-keepers of the Churches of the Saints the ointment will run upon these and they should smell of it in their conversation whereever they did walk or speak sweetness should break forth at their lips and it could not be but where ever they came they would smell of that sacred ointment too of that holy anointing and their actions would savour of the spirit of Jesus Christ Now this spirit I should insist upon it as being the Principle indeed as it is an informing Principle as it is an actuating Pâ—inciple as it is an assesting Principle and as it hath been and is in our spirits â—cting with Christs spiâ—rit so that whatsoever we do as Christians we should do going forth in the strength of that anointing In the 1 Joh. 2. and the latter end read it over But that anointing which you have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lâ—e and even as it hath taugh you ye shall abide in him which is a choice scripture and none understand it though they understand the Grammar of it they understand not the Theologie the Divinity of it but those that have received it For Christ in the fourteenth of Iohn speaking of the Comforter this Anointing saith he which or whom the world cannot receive for they know him not but ye know him for he shall abide or dwell and be in you for ever And this shal suffice now for the doctrinal part shewing you how in congruity of reason the Disciples of Christ are called Christians because they savour and receive the doctrine of Christ they are imitators of the Conversâ—tion of Christ they promote the Interest of Christ the Principles by which he acted they likewise act in the world And indeed a through consideration of these 4 particulars should marvellously induce Christians to be ambitious to hold forth the glory and honour of that honourable title Christians and Christianity as becommeth the Disciples of Jesus Christ Vse 1 Now in the next place for application of this Doctrine the remainder of the time shall be spent that way Is it so that this honourable title and name Christians was given originally unto none but the Disciples of Iesus Christ unto the Churches of Christ of a new Testament form and frame as you may see in the words before the text They assembled themselves with the Church a whole year and taught much people and when they became a great company of people then they had a new name given them the Discriples were called Christians c. then first of all for Information and instruction of all those in this Congregation that are ignorant of this point By this we may take a due
they ought to walk and to please God as the Disciples and Churches here mentioned walked and pleased God I think it meet to give you a brief narrative of such passages from the first Chapter unto this present Scripture as will make up a proper and a necessary manuduction unto the ensuing and intended doctrine After the Ascention of the man Christ Iesus into heaven Heb. i. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sit down on the right hand of the Majesty on high as the Holy Ghost phraseth it there were about an hundred and twenty men and women assembled together with one accord in one place Disciples they are called waiting for the mission of the holy spirit Christ had foretold or told them before that unlesse he went away the Comforter would not come now he being gone to the Father and they by virtue of his command abiding at Jerusalem and waiting for the promise of the Father the sending and descending of the Spirit Behold in the second chapter the Holy Ghost comes down suddenly in a most glorious ministration that the like was never heard of in the world before and sate upon each of the Apostles in the appearance of cloven tongues like as of fire whereby they were enabled on a sudden to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance so that the Jews and Proselites out of every nation there reckoned up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most part of the nations in the world at least under the Roman Empire heard them speak in their own language or proper dialect the wonderfull works of God Peter speaking a few words in the middest of an amazed and mocking multitude the Lord did so prosper and blesse what he and the rest spake that about three thousand souls gladly received the word and were added to that first new Testament-church Afterward the multitude of the Disciples increased exceedingly But now Satan the God of this world who blindeth the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them indeavoured what he could to prevent the progresse of it by raising up a cruel persecution against the Church Hereupon the Church was scattered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Faedum in modum verberâ—bus lacero faedum in modum tracco 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Haling dragging men and women to prison all except the Apostles so there was the first new-Testament-Church scattered which was but lately gathered but by an over-ruling hand of providence the scattering of that first Church was the gathering of many for some went one way some another way and where ever they came they were instant in preaching the word preaching the Lord Jesus holding forth the doctrine of the Gospel Philip went down to Samaria and there brought in aboundance of people to Jesus Christ In this interim there were planted Churches throughout all Iudaea Galile and Samaria And in this eleventh chapter that we may make haste to the words of the text at ver 19. you have an historical account of the glorious successe of the Gospel in the more remote parts among the Gentiles Now they that were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travailed as far as Phaenice and Cyprus and Antioch preaching the word to none but the Iews onely They thought they alone were the people ro whom the glad tidings of the Messiah should be published and proclaimed but now at this Antioch the hand of the Lord was so with them Vide Calvin in locum that a great number of the Graecians believed and turned to the Lord. This being reported to the Church which was in Jerusalem for the Apostles being at Jerusalem had oportunity of bringing in others to the obedience of the faith in stead of the dispersed Disciples it was matter of great joy and and they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch Civitas ab Antiocho magno denominata Lyr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antioch it bare the name of one of the Kings of Syria one of them was a bitter enemie of the Church of the Jews Antiochus Epiphanes and for his rage and madnesse they changed Epiphanes into Epimanes and so instead of Antiochus the Illustrious they called him Antiochus the * furious Or Antiochus the mad In this City Antioch as formerly in Samaria two eminent thrones of Satan the Gospel wonderfully prevailed and was readily imbraced by a great number much people was added to the Lord Paul and Barnabas come hither assemble themselves with the Church a whole year and teach much people And now when Christ had Disciples among the Jews and Disciples among the Gentiles when he had a Church at Ierusalem That is A. Congregation of Saints called out of the world by the word to the fellowship of the Gospel Churches in Iudea Galile and Samaria * a Church at Antioch being a very considerable number of people distinguished from the rest of the children of men having Laws and Ordinances ways of Worship differing from all other they are called by a new distinguishing name they are called Christians And the Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch that was the first place where they received this appellation and from thence the other Churches of Jesus Christ who hitherto were called Saints Distinctio voeis ambiguae primum sit in omni rerum consideratione Kec Who is as the wise man and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing Eccl. 8.1 Disciples and Disciples of the Lord c. Continuance of time hath rendred this word a very ambiguous word I mean the word Christian and therefore this being the time of reformation I speak not of carnal external reformation but of a reformation intended by Christ and his Spirit we must indeavour to reform not onely persons and things but the names of things and indeed reformation of this nature is nothing else but a Reduction of persons and things and names to their original causes in their first constitution to form them again as it were which cannot be understood without explication and distinction as the rule of the School is yea that maxim in al the Schools of Philosophie and Theologie is most true useful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Planto in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that man which would teach aright must first of all make a diligent enquiry into the names of things whereby they are called lest being miscalled or misnamed there be a misapprehension or a misunderstanding of things themselves so then this is the truth which I shall from these words recommend unto this audience this day and I desire it may take hold upon all your hearts not onely in the explication of it but application also The name or title or appellation CHRISTIANS was given originally unto the Disciples of Iesus Christ. I mean Disciples exclusively and inclusively excluding all others including all such Now it is somewhat dark as
whole religion is a Miscelany made up partly of the Jewish Doctrines and practises and partly of the heathenish doctrine and practises and partly of the doctrines and practises of Christians but that is the least part it being composed chiefly of Mosaicall and heathenish institutions unwritten traditions and many ridiculous ceremonies and the more any shall indeavour the introduction of those doctrines which are not taught by the Lord Jesus and his Apostles the more improbable is it they should be esteemed the disciples of Jesus Christ and consequently Christians at the last day for as you see he that is a true Christian understands the truth as it is in Iesus and receives it and cleaves unto it according to the a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mary sate at Jesus feet to hear his word Luc. 10.39 measure of faith given unto him and as the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith sitting at Iesus his feet to hear his word as the manner of Disciples was of old time b Paul brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and taught c. Acts 22 3. and is unto this day Secondly Christians are so called from Christ in congruity of reason in this respect because so soon as they are Christians there is such a sweet similitude between Christ and them in point of conversation that they mutually and reciprocally resemble each other to the observation of the Angels and discerning men where there is a great dissimilitude betwixt the Lord Jesus Christ and the children of men there is wanting a ground in reason to call such men Christians As it is an utter absurdity to call the Jews or Turks or wicked persons Christians because no similitude in them because utterly unlike to Jesus Christ so on the other side where any are found beleeving as Christ teacherh and walking as he walked observed to be in the world as he was in the world it is most proper to call and account such as these are Christians and disciples and when beleevers grow up to eminency in faith and practise reflecting much of the glory of Christ upon the world in these two Oh then how fitly may they receive this honourable appellation Christians Disciples of the highest form their Profiting appearing unto all This part of their discipleship is properly called imitation or following of the Lord. Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ the words are * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 11.1 be ye imitators of me 1 Cor. 11.1 and so 1 Thes 1. Ye became followers of us and of the Lord * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imitators of us and of the Lord. And saith Paul thou hast â—ully known my doctrine manner of life In the margin of some of your Bibles it is * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.12 thou hast been a diligent follower of my manner of life Now this imitating and following of Christ in the manner of his life consists in these three particulars first in being second in doing third in suffering after the manner that Iesus Christ was and did do and suffer in the world * A Christians conversation in point of demeanour in the world is like Christs demeanour First of all they are in the world as Christ was in the world not of it while they are in it you may know what was the frame and temper and as I may so say the dâ—vine Genius of the spirit of Jesus Christ in regard of his father how he delighted to converse with God in prayer and communion with him that way by meditation and the like And you know the genius and property and the frame of the heart of Jesus Christ towards his Disciples that had received the same spirit how much love and delight in their company to teach them and to reveal to them the great things of God that they might grow in grace c. You know his demeanour and carriage while he was in the world to Publicans and sinners how he did reveal the love of God to them in the world and tels them that * John 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth on him should not perish but have everlasting life And I am he that God the father hath appointed and sealed and sent into the world He did not lift up his voice in the streets he was not tumultuous nor turbulent but there was abundance of sweetnesse meeknesse and gentlenesse thus he was in the world and we should be so in the world and by how much the more Christians are like unto Jesus Christ by so much the lesse they are of the world as it is in the 17th of Iohn in the midst of that chapter twice repeated by Christ to the father Father saith he they are not of the world as I am not of the world And then secondly 2 In respect of their doings their actions and transactions in the world they are followers of Christ For their actings Jesus christ did not keep al his goodnesse to himself while he lived and make others the better for him when he died as the custome of rich men is they will keep their estates close while they live and do little or no good * That is comparatively or in any proportion to ability and opportunity in the place of their abode they dy there is a resurrection of their estates when they themselves go down to the grave then their estates shall rise up in their stead but oftentimes it attains not the end which they propounded But now from the time that Jesus christ was anointed at his Baptism and the holy Ghost came down upon him in the shape of a Dove and a voice was heard saying This is my wel beloved son in whom I am wel pleased which voice we heard saith Peter from that time forth for three years and a half the whole space of his life * Acts 10.38 he went up and down doing good preaching the Gospel of the Kingdome healing sicknesses and performing all duties and offices that belonged to him as he was the Son of Man the Man Christ Iesus so ought Christians in conformity to him to have their conversation here in the world to be willing to distribute ready to communicate * Christianns popullus per omnia sanctus est et non in templis tantum et ritibus Ecclesiasticis sed in omni vita omnitempore omnibus in rebus omnibus factis ac studiis nomins gloriae Christi consecratus Musc to order their whole conversation aright doing what the wil of the Lord is as Christ said I come to do thy will O God and so to be imitators or followers of him not onely in outward demeanour and behaviour which yet is exceeding comely and commendable viz. to be in behaviour as it becommeth Saints but also more especially in our actions practises and whole course of life And moreover
observe (a) Luc. 12.13 When one said unto Jesus Christ Speak to my Brother that he divide the inheritance with me he would not intermeddle in the matter which belonged not to him but answered Man who made me a Iudge or a Divider among you He would not be a Busie-body (b) He was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Bishop of souls 1 Pet. 2. ult but not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A busie body Bishop The ambitious Clergy of all ages have been notorious for the contrary witness the Histories of the several Kingdomes round about in other mens matters In this thing all true Christians should approve themselves his Disciples treading in this very foot-step Oh take heed of stretching your selves beyond your line keep within your compasse shine as bright as you may within your own Orbs move with as much advantage to the world in your proper Sphears as is possible so many as interpose and intrude into anothers Province are utterly unlike to Jesus Christ And then Thirdly in point of Suffering when Christ was brought before Authority he did not reproach and vilifie them but with meeknesse of wisdome or mock wisdome spake to Pilate concerning truth and other matters that passed between them when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatened not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously and saith the Apostle he hath left us an (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leaving a written copy And Disciples ought to write after their Masters copy Example that we should tread in his steps And truly in all Ages Genuine Christians have made it a principal part of their care to approve themselves the diciples of the Lord Jesus in this particular Now in the Third place Christians are denominated from Christ because they promote his Interest consider therefore what is the great Interest of Jesus Christ in its several parts First of all the glorifying the Father in the Son Secondly the glorifying himself with the Father And Thirdly the convincing the world of Sin and Righteousnesse and Judgement by the Spirit This is part of the great Interest of Jesus Christ that the world through him might be saved Now if you are Christians upon the account mentioned in the Text you will as Disciples of Christ 1 Cor. 10.31 carry on his Interest then whether you eat or drink or what ever you do you will aim at the glory of God 1 Pet. 4.11 that God in all things may be glorifyed through Jesus Christ And again if you are christians Joh. 5.23 you will indeavour that the name of Christ may be magnifyed and exalted also as you desire the Father may be magnified Joh. 17.5 and exalted Joh. 13.31 32. So likewise It concerns christ nearly and it is a great part of his Interest Ioh. 17.23 That the world might know that the Father hath sent him and that they might know the errandupon which he is sent the saving of sinners Now every one of you who are the Disciples of christ of a truth should according to his Talent received say and do as the Apostle Iohn of himself and others 1 Ioh. 1.1 2 3 That which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the woâ—d of life That will we declare unto others that they may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Iesus Christ It is the property of Disciples true to their Master to multiply their number and gain in others The Disciples of Christ christians have greater cause than any other to pursue this part of their Masters Interest and an obligation lies upon them accordingly Again another part of christs Interest which is very conducible to this honour so far as it is advancedâ— is the * Psa 110.1 Heb. 10.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 henceforth expecting till his foes be made his â—oot stool making all his foes his foot-stool the bringing them all down even under his feet The present Interest of Christ is the Revealing and destroying of his Grand Enemy The Autichrist and the subduing the Kings of the Earth who have committed Fornication with the Whore of Babylon who having one mind give their power and strength unto the beast and make war with the Lamb. * Rev. 13.2 The Dragon gave him his powet or army his seat and great authority Vide Med. in loc The interest of the beast is to maintain his power authority given by the Dragon even beyond the two and forty moneths allotted to him by divine appointment The Man of sin the Son of perdition assumeth to himself and accepteth from others names and titles of honour and glory Nay exalteth himself above all that is called God or worshipped c. Openeth his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name at the same time gratifieth the Kings of the earth with magnificent titles giving to the King of Spain the title of the most Catholick King to the King of France the most Christian King to the King * Henty 8th Vid. Fox Acts and Mon. of England for helping the Papacy against Luther Defendor of the faith c. Now consider it is the interest of Christ in this age to obscure and stain all this splendor and glory by his shining forth in the greatest glory of that mosthonourable title Lord of Lords King of Kings intended purposely for these times wherein we live Now therefore O all ye Christians that are indeed disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ awake awake the enemies of Christ are now to be made his foot-stool pursue this interest to the utmost in your several places and callings see to it that you beleeve and rceive a compleat victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his mark and over the number of his name see to it that you have not his mark either in your fore-heads or in your right hands for the Lamb shall overcome and they that are with him called and chosen and faithfull And this shall suffice for the 3 reason why the Disciples of Christ are called Christians because after the manner of true disciples they promote the proper and severall interests of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ and those who are otherwise minded cannot in good congruity of reason be properly called or accounted christians look whose interest you most promote his disciples indeed you are It s a Noble Study seriously to enquire what is the present great interest of Jesus Christ and a great honour to all true Christians to carry it on effectually And then fourthly and chiefly though lastly Christians were and are so called from Christ in respect of the Similitude nay I may say Identity of their Principles For what though men profess to entertain and receive the truths of Christ the pure Evangelical doctrine distinguished from all other doctrines truths in
estimate of the number of Christians in the world how many there may be in the world Men heretofore it may well be have thought there haue been more Christians in the world than indeed there were And now it s more than probable that divers here present will be more charitable and favourable in their Computation of the number than they ought to be lest they should exclude themselves This doctrine will help us to take an estimate of them thus By that time all those whose Conversation is in Hell as it were that make a Hell upon earth all Divels incarnate you know such there are the unclean spirit worketh effectually in them the Children of disobedience and yet are called Protestants and called Christians by that time I say these are abstracted By that time those whose Conversation is upon earth that are earthly minded men that mind the world and the things thereof By that time I say these are discounted by that time all those whose Conversation is between Heaven and Earth as it were between God and Mammon they are not down-right Altheists nor Papists but Protestants but yet carnall or loose o◠formall at best as being Christians in an outward garb onely by that time these are discarded and set aside as utterly Heterogeneal by that time this is done even in this Nation how many think you will be left concerning whom it may bespoken and that in truth that they are Christians and Disciples of Jesus Christ When Diogenes in his time he was a very notable Philosopher Alexander the great much admiring him saying if he had not been Alexander he woud have been Diogenes when he saw the City in which he lived falling into so much injustice and wickedness one day came into the midst of the City with a Candle in his hand at noon day and being asked what was his meaning to come with a candle in his hand at Noon-day Oh! saith he I come to search every corner of the City narrowly to see if I can find an honest man in such a multitude of men and women he could not find an honest man Now by way of allusion is it not so at this day when Jesus Christ comes shall he find faith upon the earth If before Christ comes he should now send a Messenger with the Candle of the Lord in his hand into this City into the Markets amongst the buyers and sellers into your shops amongst the Trades-men If a man should come with the Candle of the Lord into the Courr of Aldermen into the Custom-house amongst those Officers to all the Committees of Parliament to the Councell of State with the Candle of the Lord and there be looking and espying and searching and being asked who do you look for might he not answer Why if I can find a Christian among so many Christians if I can find a Disciple of Jesus Christ amongst such multitudes of men and women that cal themselves Beleevers that call themselves Disciples but surely they call themselves such falsly and in much darkness of mind For now bring the Candle of the Lord and look and observe the difference between the one and the other and alas you can hardly find one of an hundred Vix centesimus quisque was the usual phrase of Calvin upon such occasions as this And assuredly scarce one of an hundred of those that are called and accounted Christians are such indeed that are in deed and in truth Christians and Disciples This bringeth to remembrance that of the fifth of Jeremy and the first verse Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem and see now and know and seek in the broad places thereof If ye can find a man if there be any that executeth Iudgement that seek the truth and I will spare it Behold here the paucity of true Israelites so now My Brethren so many Disciples of Christ in the Parliament so many Christians and no more and so many Disciples real Disciples of Jesus Christ in Common-Councel in the City as there are so many Christians and no more not one more Therefore you had need look to it you have possibly hitherto that have least cause to do so assumed to your selves the most honorable title of Christians and Beleevers Protestants Saints the like whereas when all those are removed that I spake of before where shall you find a man that may be so stiled Vse 2 Secondly Hence you may see the mistakes and the sad consequences of those mistakes wherein the generality of men in this Nation and City and Assembly for I will keep neer home and not expatiate abroad in what mistakes and consequences of such mistakes I say are such involved who confidently assume to themselves and attribute to each other this honourable Appellation of Christians Do thou sooth up me and I will sooth up thee Do thou have a charitable good opinion and esteem of me and so I will have of thee say these men one unto another in effect But now see here your errour and your danger and the mistake and the consequence of it What if you should argue Ex non concessis what if you should beg the Question and desire that may be taken for granted that is not granted what wofull mistaking is here Suppose that you say thus of your selves and others say thus that are men that judge as Christ saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iohn 7.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rom 2.2 according to outward appearance yea but how if the Head of the Christians Jesus Christ the great Doctor of the Chair should not agree with that determination that thou hast made that thou art a Christian for he judgeth according to Truth What if all the world should call thee such and at the last day Christ should before all the world bid thee depart thou art no Christian what is the consequence of such a mistake as this is And therefore Christians you had need go upon sure grounds and you that are not Christians or have cause to doubt whether you are soor no you had need make enquiry from this day forward So thou that art an infamons person an odious wretch for sordid Lusts thy throat an open Sepulcher evaporating breathing out Oaths Cursings Blasphemings thou that hast thy bones rotting through thine uncleanness and filthiness wilt thou take upon thee the famous and honourable title of Christianity and a Beleever dost thou think to carry the cause thus Why Angels and intelligent men see cleerly thou art no such person much more doth Jesus Christ see it cleerly that is the Head of Christians Thou takest the Name of Christian upon thee even as the Jesuites take upon them the Name of Jesus it is a sweet Name an honorable Name a name of great respect But now the Jesuites that are denominated from Jesus assuming it to themselves they are the hatefullest men and the vildest persons in the world the greatest seducers So Paul
are that have any part No more Christians in this congregation than Disciples and so many of you as are indeed the Disciples of Jesus Christ so many may deservedly challenge the Title the Name and honourable Appellation of Christians But I must draw to a conclusion Vse 4 In the last place therefore Fourthly It is a word of Exhortation to those that are Christians indeed as you know there were Iews or Israelites indeed it concerns you and it concerns your Head your high Priest as Christ is called the Apostle and the high Priest of our profession in the third of the Hebrews and the first Wherefore holy Brethren partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and high-Priest of our Profession Christ Iesus Why now it concerns you to be Christians indeed and to purpose not onely to be so but to be so in the sight of men as wel as in the sight of God that tries the hearts Art thou a Christian cordially cordially ingaged into the interest of Jesus Christ Hast thou received this truth Desirest to be in the world as Christ was in the world and not to be of the world any more then Christ was of the world dost thou act from the same principles from the same Spirit in all thy carriage and conversation â—â—en Christians live like your selves Be in behaviour as it becometh the Disciples of Jesus Christ for the time is comming that those that are true Christians shall lift up their Heads when the rest of the world shal hide theirs and hang them down There were four Monarchies and all of them are distinguished by their severall titles ending like unto this Caldeans and Babylonians Persians Grecians Romans why now the second extinguished the first and swallowed up the very name of it the third Daniel aâ— 34.44 extinguished the second and the fourth the third and so they have supplanted each other Now comes the fifth Monarch the Lord Iesus Christ with his Christians his Disciples and Followers and sets up a new-Government in the world makes a new Heaven and a new Earth reforms all things and then as the name of the Romans was honourable in their time so shall the name of Christians be the honourablest name that ever was upon earth since the first Monarchy before and all other Honour shal be but Infamy in respect of the Honour that shal rest upon Jesus Christ his Christians in the world that upon a voluntary acknowledgment confession of many of the Nations of the Earth those that refuse to set up this Kingdom shal be made Tributaries to it at least Nay Isaiah 60.12 that Nation and Kingdome that will not serve Christ and Christians shall perish yea those people shall be utterly wasted All the Dominions under the whole Heaven shall be given to the Saints of the most high and even now the time Daniel 7.27 and times and half a time is almost finished as it is in the 10th of the Revel Time shal be no longer then the beginning of the sound of the seveneth Angell Rev. 11.15 and then the Kingdomes of the world shall become the Lords and his Christs and his Saints even theirs that are with him chosen and called and faithfull and they shall walk with him in white for they are worthy and who then but Christ and his people in the world Now is the beginning of the dawning of that glorious day and therefore Christians lift up your Heads fear not all the Invasions Insurrections and Machinations of Antichrist against Christ they are as nothing they are but as ropes of sand all their Counsels shal come to nought and whatsoever they agree on in their Councill Chambers they shal never perform in the field And therefore ye Christians stand fast in that liberty with which Christ hath made you free cleave close to that glorious truth of the Gospell 2 Cor. 5. vlt. He made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him and walk in holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. Remember whatever the Spirit said to any of the Churches Rev. 2 3. he saith to all the Saints He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches To him that overcommeth and holdeth out to the end shal be given a Crown of life and thus and thus he shall be rewarded And therefore now upon the defection and Apostacy of others do you approve your selves unto Christ and not onely so but approve your selves in the world like the Sons of God and daughters of God and like the anointed of the Lord as having received a great measure of that Anointing the Spirit being poured out richly upon you even the Spirit of Jesus Christ All other Spirits and Interests will be ashamed and go out like as the lesser stars go out and hide themselves from the rising Sun and the name of Christ and his Disciples shall be famous from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same and such honour shall Christ and all his Saints have when he comes Amen come Lord Jesus come quickly But this shall suffice for this time FINIS To prevent errors in reading the Evrrata's in Printing are thus to be rectified ERRATA IN the sheet of B page 8. line 14. for weie tead were C p. 3. l. 4. for tween r. between D p. 2. l. 26. for abode they die r. abode and when they die p. 7. l. 3. for richest r. rich p. 8. l. 5. for whereever r. where ever E p. 1. l. 37. for Altheists r Atheists P. 4. l. 11. for soor r. so or As for literal faults in Printing the favour and help of the Reader is requested according to custome of courteous dealing in such cases